Marley talks reggae, cannabis

Damian Marley shot the music video for his new song “Medication” in a medical marijuana farm.

The reggae singer, who is part owner of a medical marijuana company, exalts the drug’s benefits in “Medication,” which appears on his newly released album “Stony Hill.” It’s his first solo record in 12 years.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Marley talks about managing his burgeoning cannabis career, working with Jay-Z for the first time and growing up in privileged Jamaica.

Q. You’re featured on Jay-Z’s new album in the song “Bam.” You shot some of the video in Jamaica. What was the experience like?

A. I’m a fan of his music, so I was honored to be invited to be a part of the album. We actually did a recording in Los Angeles. He invited me to come by the studio for a few hours, and he kind of already had an idea of what he wanted for the hook. He said, “Go ahead, freestyle and have fun on the track.” ...They kind of constructed my verse using lines from my freestyle. We spent two days in Jamaica showing him around, catching visuals for the project.

Q. It’s been 12 years since you released a solo album.

A. What’s really been happening is that I’ve been in the studio working on other projects. I did an album with Nas called “Distant Relatives.” I was part of another project called SuperHeavy, which was also featuring Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, Joss Stone and A.R. Rahman.

Q. Why name the album “Stony Hill”?

A. I choose “Stony Hill” as the name of the album to reflect my upbringing. The neighborhood I grew up in from when I was around 5-years-old to when I was around 15 or 16. It’s the more privileged part of Jamaica. In the album, we’re trying to speak about that journey ... my father came from the ghetto and was able to have a child like myself who was born and raised in an uptown, privileged area.

Q. You have your medical marijuana company, Stony Hill Corp. How did that come about?

A. Marijuana has been such a big part of our lives even way before it was made legal in certain places. I think it’s only right that we partake in the business now.